North America Non-native Plant

Gynotroches

Botanical name: Gynotroches

USDA symbol: GYNOT

Native status: Not native but doesn't reproduce and persist in the wild

The Mystery of Gynotroches: When Plant Names Lead Nowhere Have you stumbled across the botanical name Gynotroches somewhere and wondered what kind of plant it is? You’re not alone in your confusion! This mysterious plant name has left even seasoned botanists scratching their heads. What We Know (Spoiler Alert: It’s ...

The Mystery of Gynotroches: When Plant Names Lead Nowhere

Have you stumbled across the botanical name Gynotroches somewhere and wondered what kind of plant it is? You’re not alone in your confusion! This mysterious plant name has left even seasoned botanists scratching their heads.

What We Know (Spoiler Alert: It’s Not Much!)

Here’s the honest truth about Gynotroches: despite being classified as a dicot (a flowering plant with two seed leaves), reliable information about this genus is virtually non-existent in standard botanical references, native plant databases, and horticultural literature.

Why You Can’t Find This Plant at Your Local Nursery

There are several possible explanations for why Gynotroches remains such an enigma:

  • It might be an outdated or invalid botanical name that’s no longer in use
  • It could be a misspelling or variant of another plant genus
  • It may represent an extremely rare or recently described plant group with limited documentation
  • It might exist only in very specialized taxonomic literature

What This Means for Your Garden

Since we can’t provide growing information, native status, or care tips for something that essentially doesn’t exist in available horticultural resources, Gynotroches won’t be making it into your garden planning anytime soon.

What to Do If You Encountered This Name

If you came across Gynotroches in your research, consider these steps:

  • Double-check the spelling – it might be a typo for a more common genus
  • Look at the context where you found the name for additional clues
  • Consult with local botanists or extension offices if you found it on a plant list for your area
  • Consider whether it might be a regional common name rather than a true botanical name

The Takeaway for Native Plant Enthusiasts

While Gynotroches remains a botanical mystery, this situation highlights the importance of using well-documented plant names when planning your native garden. Stick with plants that have clear identification, known growing requirements, and established native status in your region.

If you’re looking to add native plants to your landscape, consult local native plant societies, extension services, or reputable native plant nurseries. They can guide you toward plants with proven track records and clear growing information – no detective work required!

Gynotroches

Classification

Group

Dicot

Kingdom

Plantae - Plants

Subkingdom

Tracheobionta - Vascular plants

Superdivision

Spermatophyta - Seed plants

Division

Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants

Subdivision
Class

Magnoliopsida - Dicotyledons

Subclass

Rosidae

Order

Rhizophorales

Family

Rhizophoraceae Pers. - Red Mangrove family

Genus

Gynotroches Blume

Species

Plant data source: USDA, NRCS 2025. The PLANTS Database. https://plants.usda.gov,. 2/25/2025. National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC USA